THE graduating class of Kauai's Kula Intermediate wanted to celebrate by coming to Oahu, checking into the Ala Moana Hotel, and checking out Ala Moana Center. But the kids couldn't afford rooms. So teacher Christine Farina wrote a letter to hotel G.M. John Cushnie, who was so moved by her words that he arranged rooms for the 20 students at no charge. Right on, John! ... Ala Moana’s G.M.
helps Kauai classDIXIE GRILL and the Friends of the Children's Advocacy Center both came out winners Tuesday night as the grill had a lively, fun-filled opening that raised $6,000 for the center. Besides delicious food -- ribs, shrimp, crab, corn on the cob and much more -- the Bon Ton Roule "New Orleans Funk" Band played a big role in making the opening a success. A few souls, attorney Brad Coates for one, displayed great dance moves to the lively music. Fiddler Lisa Leung is hot. Charlie Myers, Yash Walczek, Sean Thibadeaux, Rick Schneider, James Ganeko and Dan Curran are the other members of the tight band. Dixie G.M. Bruce Faber and staff worked hard to keep the crowd happy. Model-actress Carolyn Bosanko wielded the little wooden hammer provided to crack crab shells like a master carpenter ...
PAT METCALF will soon leave her seven-year post as regional advertising sales manager of Travel Weekly magazine. She has accepted a position with USA Today as Western Region manager. Her five-day-a-week workouts at The Gym have her in good shape for the move. "I lost 20 pounds," the svelte Pat said, proudly ... Bob Corboy points out that Iolani's Danny Kimura, who hit three homers in one inning as Iolani beat Damien, 30-3, was featured in the June 2 Sports Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd section for his feat ... Happy birthday to Alva McDiarmid, Don's better half, who turns 70 Tuesday ... Colony Surf developer John Barkhorn, 80, died in Santa Barbara last week ...
THE Kahala Mandarin will offer a Thai promotion starting tomorrow at the Plumeria Cafe and winding up next Sunday with a special dinner in Hoku's, supervised by Thai chef Jim Smigielski with Mandarin Executive Chef Oliver Altherr ... Jim Smigielski is a woman. Her husband, Karl, of Sandwich Isles Realty, recently held a party for 10 at Hoku's to celebrate his sale of an $11 million Kahala oceanfront property, the old Keck estate ... Hoku's manager Ivy Nagayama and Chef Altherr have come up with a five-course "chef's tasting menu." Guests receive portions of four entrees and then a sampling of desserts ... The Mandarin group has acquired the Hyde Park Hotel Hotel in London ... Alfred Vollenweider is offering a special menu at Alfred's in Century Center to mark his 19th year in business ... Time to Thai one on
TRINI COMBIS, the last Star Markets employee who was with the Piggly Wiggly chain when Star bought it, retired from the Kahala Mall store Sunday.Trini was known for her unique floral head pieces. After graduation from St. Francis Convent, she worked for Frankie's market until 1953, then joined Piggly Wiggly. In '61, Star bought Piggly Wiggly ...
ANDY BUMATAI, Emme Tomimbang, Carole Kai, Eddie Onouye, Pamela Young and Gary Sprinkle will take part in the "Great Hawaiian Wine Challenge" at the Better Home Show Thursday evening in Blaisdell Center's Pikake Room. The celebs will pair off against people in the audience and try to guess what kind of wine they are drinking. R. Field Wine Company is providing the vino. Chuck Furuya will offer wine tips. The home show, sponsored by American Savings, opens Wednesday ... Home show wine challenge
MAHINA, 19, and Pali Souza, 14, on guitar and uke, respectively, sang with mom, Mihana Souza of Puamana, at Buzz's June 5 and again Wednesday at Kailua Bistro ...